My Slow Cooker Chili Recipe is to die for! It is super simple to make in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. I like to use my Instant Pot 6qt because it makes quick work of browning the meat and layering flavors into the veggies using the sauté mode, then quick flip to slow cook mode. Do not worry – You can brown all of the meats and veggies in your favorite pan in batches and add it to your preferred slow cooker. Check out my Golden Mushroom Chicken Recipe using the Instant Pot.
Traditionally Chili can be made many different ways, beans or no beans, or totally vegan. My slow cooker chili has four meats that I had in my freezer. Ground Beef, Stew Meat Cubes, 1/2lb of bacon diced and 2 Beef Spare Ribs is what I am using in this chili recipe. You can forgo the extra meats and just used ground beef, but this recipe isn’t picky when it comes to your choice of meat. I also am not a big bean fan so I went with a can of white pinto beans, better known as the beans you eat in baked beans.
Simple Hearty Chili is What You Need!
In this recipe I am using 2lbs of ground beef and 1lb of beef chuck stew meat cut into 1 inch cubes, 1/2lb bacon diced and two beef bone in spare ribs. The bacon is the first thing that gets sautéed in the pot to add that salty element to the chili, next I brown the ribs, followed by the beef chuck cubes, then finally the ground beef. Definitely work in batches and remove each of these meats to a large bowl as you work your way through the recipe.
After you have browned your meat(s), should you choose to do as many as I have, it’s time to sauté the onion and green bell pepper. Nerdy Tip: You should have a nice fond at the bottom of the pot from the meat. Fond is all of the bits and bobs that are still in the bottom of the pan from searing the meat. Thats flavor!
Should you have too much liquid, you can use a small ladle to remove it to a bowl before proceeding with the rest of the recipe. I had to remove about 4 ladles of fat and liquid from the bottom of the pot before I added the veggies and the rest of the chili meats. I was careful to leave just enough so that when I add the peppers and onions I can pick up all of those flavors.
Your House Should Smell Amazing by Now!
After you have the onions and peppers ready, you can dump in two cans of diced tomatoes giving it a good stir, then add the ground beef, cubes, bacon to the pot.
Add 2 Tbsps of Chili Powder and 1 Tsp of Sazon Seasoning to the pot and give it a good stir. This Sazon seasoning will give your chili the umami flavor and it doe not contain MSG like the Goya brand does.
Can I Add Beans Now to the Chili?
If you are using bigger beans like kidney beans, you can add them now to the chili. They are tough enough to hold up for this long cooking time. Since I am using small canned white pinto beans, I add my beans when there is about 4 hours left to cook so that they do not get mushy. You can also add black beans, or whatever favorite bean you choose for extra flavor.
Time To Let The Slow Cooker Finish the Chili
Set your slow cooker to low and allow the chili to cook low and slow for about 6-8 hours. The longer it cooks the more flavor it develops. Check the chili after 3 hours and taste it to make sure you have enough kick and seasonings. You can always add seasonings by can’t take them away. I purposely did not salt my chili since I used bacon to start the flavor profile from the first layer of the process.
And that is that! A little work up front to build the flavors and now you can cozy up with a bowl of Chili.
Get My Slow Cooker – Instant Pot Chili Recipe Below:
Simple Easy Slow Cooker Chili
My Slow Cooker Chili Recipe is to die for! It is super simple to make in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. I like to use my Instant Pot 6qt because it makes quick work of browning the meat and layering flavors into the veggies using the sauté mode, then quick flip to slow cook mode.
Ingredients
- 2lbs Ground Beef 85/15
- 1/2lb Bacon Diced
- 1lb Beef Chuck Stew Meat (optional)
- 2 Beef Spare Ribs (optional)
- 1 Onion, chopped (can use yellow or sweet onion)
- 1 Green Bell Pepper Diced
- 2 - 28oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 16oz can of White Pinto Beans (or kidney beans)
- 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 Tsp Sazon Seasoning
Instructions
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Chili
The method I am using below to make this awesome chili is how you can extract the most flavors from each ingredient instead of just putting it all together into a slow cooker.
If using an Instant Pot - Set it for Saute mode, else use a cast iron pan or your favorite non stick 12 inch pan to brown the bacon. Working in batches, remove the bacon once crisped to a large bowl. Add beef cubes cut into 1 inch cubes and brown, remove to large bowl with bacon. Add spare ribs to pan and brown, remove to large bowl with beef cubes.
Now add the onions and green peppers to the pot or pan and saute until fragrant. Add the 2 cans of diced tomatoes, stir, add the Chili powder. Add your meat from the bowl you have set aside to the pot and stir. Add the Sazon seasoning. Stir.
Set your slow cooker to low and cook low and slow for 6-8 hours. The longer the better. After the first 3 hours, taste the chili and add more chili powder if needed. Now is when you can add your beans to the pot for the rest of the cooking time.
Serve this chili with rice or topped with cheese and it will be sure to please!
Notes
If you do not own an Instant Pot you can totally make this using your favorite slow cooker and saute pan. Just work in batches adding to the slow cooker in stages.
Recommended Products
If you enjoyed my recipe, please help support my blog by checking out my recommended products. Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Thank you for your support!
-
Loisa Sazón Seasoning, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, No-MSG, No Preservatives, No Artificial Coloring, No Artificial Flavors -
Muir Glen Organic No Salt Added Diced Tomatoes -
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer, 6 Quart, 14 One-Touch Programs -
All-Clad Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe Oven Safe PFOA-free Nonstick 8-Inch and 10-Inch Fry Pan Set
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 848Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 1100mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 10gSugar: 9gProtein: 80g
